They haven鈥檛 played an official game together yet, but members of the UBC Okanagan Heat women鈥檚 softball team are ready for their inaugural season playing in the WCSA.
Just over six months ago, the idea of a collegiate level softball team in the Okanagan was simply that鈥攁n idea.
Now, with just two weeks of practice under their belts, the Heat will play their first game in the Western Collegiate Softball Association this weekend.
That might be scary for some coaches, but not for Heat skipper Joni Frei.
鈥淲e鈥檙e not focusing on any challenges other than overcoming them,鈥� Frei said.
鈥淚t鈥檚 been pretty magical these past few weeks and we鈥檙e excited to get on the field and see what this team can do.
鈥淏ut it鈥檚 not how you start, it鈥檚 how you finish and we鈥檙e looking forward to stepping out on the field everyday as a team.鈥�
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Frei has been coaching softball her entire life. She grew up in 麻豆精选, graduated from Mount Boucherie Secondary and has coached at almost all levels of women鈥檚 softball.
Starting a collegiate level softball team in the Okanagan was something Frei looked into after returning to Canada from coaching in the U.S. almost 10 years ago.
Frei has recruited players from across Canada and the U.S. to fill out the UBCO roster.
While Frei鈥檚 experience was a big drawing point for some of the players, she has also put together a passionate, experienced and dedicated coaching staff to get the Heat program off the ground.
鈥淭here was no shortage of people wanting to help and support,鈥� she said.
鈥淲e have 10 coaches, eight of them women and all hands are on deck. People are buying and owning their roles and that is what has made this team possible.鈥�
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Like most Canadian university sports programs, community support is needed to support the women鈥檚 softball team.
The Heat has secured support from Coca-Cola and Sun-Rype and is hoping to enhance that community investment in the future.
The challenge at the team鈥檚 outset will be to reward the community鈥檚 faith in the women鈥檚 softball program, she acknowledges.
鈥淭hese girls are used to challenges,鈥� said Frei.
鈥淚 like that they鈥檙e fresh and not fatigued from a long summer. We have depth, talent, numbers and a great coaching staff.
鈥淲e aim to compete in this league, and we鈥檙e going to do it in our own classy way.鈥�
The UBCO Heat first game in the WCSA will be on their home diamond against the Calgary Dinos at Nigh Noon Park tonight (Friday), 6 p.m.
It will be familiar terrain for Frei as she often played softball at High Noon growing up in the Okanagan.
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